Next generation, fully-integrated instrument for your computer and iPad.

Launchkey 49 is a 49-note keyboard controller with up to 50 physical controls including 16 velocity-sensitive multi-color trigger-pads. As well as enabling hands-on controller of your DAW's mixer, instruments and effects, Launchkey is an integrated software/hardware instrument. The control surface has been designed to work tightly alongside two intuitive apps for iPad: the Launckey app and the Launchpad app - plus the powerful V-Station synth plug-in for Mac and Windows.

CREATENot just a controller keyboard - fully integrated instrument for Mac, PC & iPadLaunchkey includes an entire suite of software for iPad, Mac and PC including a brand new stand-alone synth app, a Launchpad app for triggering and improvising with loops, and the powerful V-Station and Bass Station soft synths for Mac and PC - not to mention Ableton Live Lite and a huge Loopmasters sample pack.

CONTROL'InControl' technology instantly maps to all major DAWs and music softwareLaunchkey is a full-scale DAW controller for all major digital audio workstations, bringing mixer, transport and direct plug-in control to Ableton Live, FL Studio, Pro Tools, Reason, Logic, Cubase and more. With nine faders, up to nine buttons, eight rotary knobs and transport controls, you're in complete control with Launchkey.

LAUNCH16 velocity-sensitive multi-color launch pads - trigger loops and play drums16 dual-color-backlit velocity-sensing Launchpad panels can be used to play drums, or trigger clips and scenes without having to go near the computer. Whatever software you use, the 16 launch pads are perfect for sketching out beats or playing in drum lines. If you use grid-based software such as Ableton Live or FL Studio, the launch pads will put loop control right at your fingertips.

PLAYProfessional synth-styled keyboard (with over 50 hardware controls)The velocity-sensitive synth-style keyboard mechanism is accompanied by pitch and mod wheels and octave track up/down buttons. It recreates the feel of classic synth keyboards with precision, so playing styles can be reflected by the software as accurately as possible.

SOFTWARELaunchkey comes with a suite of synth and Launchpad apps for iPad as well as the powerful Novation V-Station synth plug-in for Mac and PC - and more…

iPad Applications

Launchkey ApplicationLaunchkey comes with a powerful and uniquely intuitive graphic sound synthesiser for iPad. Position and move sound-producing elements around the screen at the touch of a finger - location, proximity and characteristics change the sound in real time. The knobs and faders on the hardware can also be used to edit and tweak sounds within the app.

Novation V-Station synthV-Station is one of Novation's powerful analogue-modelling synth engines in software form. V-Station is a plug-in (VST/AU/RTAS) so you can open it within your music software and get hands-on control with Launchkey hardware.

Novation Bass Station synthThe classic Bass Station analogue mono-synth first appeared in 1994 and has found its way onto countless records. Launchkey comes with a plug-in version of the synth which can be opened within your DAW and played / tweaked with the hardware controls.

Ableton Live LiteMusic production software used by countless top artists to produce and perform their music. Launchkey integrates with Ableton Live: as well as controlling mixer, transport and plug-in effects, the 16 launch pads work to trigger sounds using Ableton's unique "session view".

Loopmasters sample packLaunchkey comes with over one gigabyte of samples from Loopmasters; everything you need to start creating and performing music straight away - including artist packs, drum samples and sound FX.

FEATURES

Integrated software/hardware instrument with apps for Mac, PC and iPad

'InControl' technology connects hardware controls directly to all major DAWs

Quick, hands-on control of mixer, transport, plug-in instruments and effects

16 velocity-sensitive multi-color launch pads

Professional synth-styled keyboard with over 50 hardware controls

Instant access to major DAW control parameters

Fully bus-powered, even with iPad

Ships with 1GB of Loopmasters sample content

Includes a copy of Ableton Live Lite

Don't just control your music, take control of your music with the Launchkey 49.

This keyboard really shines as a DAW controller, whether in the studio or on stage. The best things about this keyboard are it's value (you can always buy a backup for the road), and it's easy and tight integration with DAW's, especially the two DAW's I use, Ableton and Reason. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because although it has MIDI through USB, I wish it had more connectivity options.

Bought this to add to my home recording rig. Loved how simple this was with driver-less installation. Footprint is great, it can fit almost anywhere. I love the way these keys feel. Plastic synth feel but squishy and quiet. Lover all the knobs, faders and pads!! 16 drum pads? WHAAATTT??? I use it it mainly with Reason 6.5 and it works great with it! Instruments are already mapped to controller. Just download patch preset from Novation's website and they all are there!! Also works great with Ableton!! Novation knocked it out of the park with this badboy!!

I've just received my Launchkey 49 and I am putting it through it's paces in Ableton Suite. It came well packaged, and the box has a handle so it could double as a temporary carrying case. It also includes a 6' USB cable and a couple registration cards. No CD's are included, you'll need the internet to download software/drivers.So far I've just been noodling around and playing some chords/scales to get a feel for the key layout. They aren't narrow or compact and at this point I feel confident in saying the keys play great. They are fairly stiff, velocity sensitive, and feel similar to a nicer semi-weighted keyboard. The keys are a durable plastic constrution, I think they are better than a lot of other keyboards in the same price range.The sliders and knobs feel a little on the flimsy side (they can be wiggled around slightly), but I think they'll endure a lot of use so long as it is fairly gentle.Knobs are not rotary encoders that you can scroll endlessly, but just simple pots that export standard 000-127 midi values and only rotate about 290 degrees.Sliders are really smooth and have a little resistance to them so an accidental brush from a jacket/shirt sleeve/ect probably won't move them around.The pads are very firm but still sensitive, sometimes it takes a good thwack to get the full velocity out of a strike on them. I LOVE that they change color/state with launching clips in Ableton, as this is a very useful feature.The pitch and mod wheels are also very smooth, coated with a dry feeling textured plastic. It isn't the gummy rubber you find on some keyboards, but it still has a lot of grip. Not to mention, they have a notch in the wheel for easy manipulation.The rest of the buttons are all your standard gummy interface buttons. They all work just fine.The body is a solid plastic with a bright orange bottom and metallic gray top. Build quality is top notch and the over all weight of this keyboard is on the lighter side for a 49 key, but it still feels substantial. It has padded feet, so it won't slide on a surface.

As for the software side, it comes with Ableton Live Lite 8, Novations V and Bass stations, along with a Loop Masters pack. I haven't really given the Novation software too much attention, as I am really heavily into Ableton and usually play with my own software instruments. That said, this keyboard is freaking AWESOME in Ableton! It has navigation buttons for launching and controlling clips, it has export controls to start and stop recording, a master slider and mute/solo buttons for the 8 sliders. This thing is a production station for the price, what a deal! If you are looking for a great all-in-one feature rich keyboard, you can certainly save some money with the Launchkey 49.

This i've owned this and the MPK Mini keyboard and this is a million times better for use with Ableton. The InControl stuff makes it super easy, and everything is on the controller to control parameters and stuff like that. Only complant is the pads aren't as useful as I'd hoped and the pots above them are alittle wobbly but other than that a great controlle for the price.

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